About

The Language Accessibility Advisory Committee (LAAC) was established in 2016 to advise the Secretary of State (SOS) on issues related to language accessibility of elections and election materials. The mission of the LAAC is to advise and assist the SOS with implementation of federal and state laws relating to access of the electoral process by low English proficiency (LEP) voters, so that all voters can understand the voting process. The LAAC also provides recommendations identifying and prioritizing activities, programs, and policies to ensure every voter has equal access to the ballot.

The responsibilities of the committee include:

  1. Providing expertise on language accessibility issues.
  2. Promoting language accessibility initiatives.
  3. Responding to the Secretary of State’s questions regarding language

Request for Applicants

The Secretary of State is calling for volunteers to serve as committee members on the Language Accessibility Advisory Committee (LAAC) for the remainder of the 2022-2023 term. The mission of the LAAC is to advise and assist the Secretary of State’s office with a robust language access program designed to assist voters with limited-English proficiency and participate fully in the electoral process. This includes activities to support the implementation of federal and state laws related to language accessibility, making recommendations regarding programs and policy, and the review of translated material for accuracy.

The committee is required to consist of at least 15 members, of these, at least three must be county elections officials who have demonstrated language accessibility experience, knowledge of methods for presenting election materials in plain language and can support outreach efforts to the public (Elections Code section 2600). LAAC members are volunteers and serve at the discretion of the Secretary of State. There are currently 9 members on the committee, and we are looking to fill 6 vacancies.

The deadline for applications is February 17, 2023, and appointments will be announced April 2023. Completed applications can be sent by email to LAAC@sos.ca.gov, or by postal mail to Secretary of State, Language Accessibility Advisory Committee, 1500 11th Street, 5th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814..

For more information, please refer to the following Memorandum: https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/ccrov/2023/january/23013dh.pdf

Meetings

The next meeting of the LAAC:

Date: Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Time: 2:00 p.m.

  • Tentative 2023 Meeting Dates:
  • June 7
  • August 2
  • October 4
  • December 6

Agenda (PDF)

Notes and minutes from past meetings (PDF)

Contact

  • Secretary of State's Office, Elections Division
  • Daneka Huynh
  • (916) 823-7375
  • dhuynh@sos.ca.gov

The committee can be reached at the LAAC email, laac@sos.ca.gov, or by postal mail at

LAAC
1500 11th Street, Floor 5
Sacramento, CA 95814

Local LAACs

Local elections officials are encouraged to develop local language advisory groups or Local LAACs. The LAAC is currently surveying counties to see which have active advisory groups. 

County Language Accessibility Advisory Committee Toolkit (PDF)

This toolkit offers guidelines and practices to help county elections offices establish a LAAC and create a meaningful and helpful role for it to serve the limited English proficient voters of your community.